Bangkok Reports

Thought I would echo some money saving tips to the people here.

Last trip to BKK I forgot to take my ATM card from the machine. The machine swallowed it up and I could never get it back even though I realized and came back 5 minutes later. I ended up using my backup United MilesPlus credit card using cash advances to fund my play time and expenses. I in turn was hit with hundreds of $ in Foreign Transaction Fees (FTF). I was annoyed that this travel oriented Credit Card was so unfriendly when it came to the FTFs.

Getting to the point.

The best ATM debit card out there (has been for years) is a Charles Schwab. Schwab-One Platnum ATM card. You will not pay for a single withdraw fee world wide. They all get reimbursed back to you. You will need to open a Schwab one checking account but it has a no min-deposit and no monthly service fees. I have had this type of account for longer than 30 years and have never been unhappy with anything the entire time.

If you are German, I read that Deutsche Bank has a similar type of offer for their depositors.

Then, for your standard credit card, there has been a handful of banks offering no FTF cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred, Barkleys Arrival Plus, or Capitol One Quicksilver. Except I think the Capitol One "Venture" card has just raised the bar.

The Venture card now offers no annual fee whereas the others want $80-100/ yr. For a no FTF card.

Just Google the card names for all the surrounding details as some perks differ. I don't have any data to compare the currency conversion RATE angle of the cards, but seem to feel the differences between the cards are going to be very small. (Don't confuse the FTF with the exchange RATE that may be skimmed depending on the daily exchange rate).

Hope this post encourages a few of you to clean house regarding the topic. I know it has taken me awhile.

[QUOTE=Ehunter;1575066]If you are German, I read that Deutsche Bank has a similar type of offer for their depositors. [/QUOTE]It's Deutsche Kreditbank (www. Dkb. De), not Deutsche Bank. But the Visa CC from DKB is indeed great for travelling. Any fee you'll get charged for withdrawl from ATM will get reimbursed within 2 or 3 days. The exchange rates are ok. Unfortunately for any other non-Euro transaction they charge a fee of 1,75%.

[QUOTE=SirLancelot;1575014]In April I posted a 21 day diary on this forum but subsequently all of the text on certain days disappeared. Jackson has since explained that was due to ISG migrating to a new server and invited people to re-post if they wish. My apologies if this lengthy post is a nuisance if you read it first time round but I hope it will provide useful information to others.

Day 2, Tuesday: Bangkok.
[/QUOTE]I'm glad that you took the time to post it. Thanks.

[QUOTE=Ehunter;1575066]Thought I would echo some money saving tips to the people here.

Last trip to BKK I forgot to take my ATM card from the machine. The machine swallowed it up and I could never get it back even though I realized and came back 5 minutes later. I ended up using my backup United MilesPlus credit card using cash advances to fund my play time and expenses. I in turn was hit with hundreds of $ in Foreign Transaction Fees (FTF). I was annoyed that this travel oriented Credit Card was so unfriendly when it came to the FTFs.
[/QUOTE]I also have a United MileagePlus Explorer Card, and I have been very pleased with the card, and they recently announced that they eliminated the Foreign Transaction Fee (FTF) from their card. I think the charges that you incurred were Cash Advance Fees: very different from FTF.

FEES.

Annual Membership Fee.

$0 Intro fee for the first year. After that, $95.

Transaction Fees.

Balance Transfers Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Cash Advances Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.

Foreign Transactions None.

Penalty Fees.

Late Payment Up to $15 if the balance is less than $100; up to $25 if the balance is $100 to less than $250; up to $35 if the balance is $250 or more.

Over-the-Credit-Limit None.

Return Payment Up to $35.

Return Check Up to $35.

[QUOTE=Ehunter;1575066]
Last trip to BKK I forgot to take my ATM card from the machine. The machine swallowed it up and I could never get it back even though I realized and came back 5 minutes later. I ended up using my backup United MilesPlus credit card using cash advances to fund my play time and expenses. I in turn was hit with hundreds of $ in Foreign Transaction Fees (FTF). I was annoyed that this travel oriented Credit Card was so unfriendly when it came to the FTFs.

The best ATM debit card out there (has been for years) is a Charles Schwab. Schwab-One Platnum ATM card. You will not pay for a single withdraw fee world wide. They all get reimbursed back to you. You will need to open a Schwab one checking account but it has a no min-deposit and no monthly service fees. I have had this type of account for longer than 30 years and have never been unhappy with anything the entire time.

[/QUOTE]I am always amazed at the people who travel halfway around the world and their entire trip depends on them keeping one little piece of plastic. One hell of a risk if you consider they warn you of pickpockets at all the major gathering places. Same with showing up with just one credit card, its always better to have double or triple the protection. I brought plenty of cash, my normal atm card (which charges foreign fee's so its only for emergency) and two (yes two) charles schwab debit cards. Its free to open more than one schwab account FYI and you can link them together. Lose one card, transfer the money to the other account (or keep half in each).

And for those using their United credit card for free trips to BKK, sorry to report but the rewards needed for a free ticket just jumped 15 k miles (from 65 k to 80 k).

[QUOTE=Ehunter;1575066]Thought I would echo some money saving tips to the people here. [/QUOTE]I go a different route entirely: 100% cash. Pristine $100 USD bills bring the best exchange rate with no footprints. Leave the big money in the hotel safe and only bring enough cash with you for what you will need for that outing. I also take two credit and ATM cards (and carry one of each with me at all times) in case of emergency.

I found the best exchange rates can be had at the Arab money changes behind Sukumvit Soi 3/5 and at Superrich which has a branch at the Asoke BTS.

SunLover.

[QUOTE=Sunlover2;1575096]I found the best exchange rates can be had at the Arab money changes behind Sukumvit Soi 3/5 and at Superrich which has a branch at the Asoke BTS.[/QUOTE]Arabs give the best rates in this town. Sukhumvit, also Silom.

[QUOTE=David2;1575092]I also have a United MileagePlus Explorer Card, and I have been very pleased with the card, and they recently announced that they eliminated the Foreign Transaction Fee (FTF) from their card. I think the charges that you incurred were Cash Advance Fees: very different from FTF. [/QUOTE]Customer service told me on the phone to expect the kind of charges I described and am showing. As you can see, I had two cash advances (1679 and $1010) then just below I get prodded twice for $50.38 and 50.38 then $30.32 and 30.32 for the second. Both charges are described as FTFs.

At any rate, I would rather not pay $95/ yr when the Venture card is free plus slightly better perks.

You, sir, have established a standard for comprehensive, informative and authoritative sex reporting. Wish I were young again in Bangkok. Luckily I had that experience decades ago. When I returned to Pattaya (only) for an overnight two years ago, I was frankly disappointed. But, hey, for some these will be the good old days.

[QUOTE=Breadman;1575094]And for those using their United credit card for free trips to BKK, sorry to report but the rewards needed for a free ticket just jumped 15 k miles (from 65 k to 80 k). [/QUOTE]And that is for economy class redemptions. Business class are went from 120,000 miles to 160,000 miles, and first class from 140,000 to 260,000 miles. Plus United discontinued their NRT-BKK service which further limits reward options.

I have done a lot of flying in my time and accumulated a lot of miles, so I did do several trips in F on Thai and on other carriers. That window is rapidly closing though. Earn and burn would be my advice.

[QUOTE=TellAll;1575030]On my way to Thailand late June. Plane does not arrive until midnight.

Will I be stuck at the airport until 4 am due to curfew or do the cabs still run from there?[/QUOTE]As of last week the curfew does not apply for transport to / from the airport. Have your tickets and passport available just in case you are asked. FWIW I don't think the curfew will be in effect that much longer. Either way you should be fine.

SL.

[QUOTE=Sunlover2;1575168]And that is for economy class redemptions. Business class are went from 120,000 miles to 160,000 miles, and first class from 140,000 to 260,000 miles. Plus United discontinued their NRT-BKK service which further limits reward options.[/QUOTE]United just after merger went with so many promotions, they're now more people in the elite line than the other. So, of course they raise reward ticket redemption rates, plus added $ amount threshold to gain gold star alliance status. Reserving economy one way ticket next month BKK to Vienna, saw 55,000 miles. Instead, booked BKK to Cairo with stop in Vienna (where I will disembark) for 35,000. Matter of time before they close this nice loophole.

[QUOTE=Sunlover2;1575096]I go a different route entirely: 100% cash. Pristine $100 USD bills bring the best exchange rate with no footprints. Leave the big money in the hotel safe and only bring enough cash with you for what you will need for that outing. I also take two credit and ATM cards (and carry one of each with me at all times) in case of emergency.

I found the best exchange rates can be had at the Arab money changes behind Sukumvit Soi 3/5 and at Superrich which has a branch at the Asoke BTS.

SunLover. [/QUOTE]The Asok BTS branch offers a slightly reduced rate of exchange than the rate offered at the Rajdamri branch. However, I haven't considered the amount one needs to travel to Rajdamri against the rate offered at the BTS.

United showed no respect to their mileage customers when they upped the necessary miles to 80,000 from 60,000 for roundtrip coach flights from USA to Asia regardless of how many miles were in a member's account at the time. OK. If that's the way they want to play, two can play that way. After I use up my remaining miles I will cancel my card. In a few months United's marketing department will send me new offers with a 30,000 mile inducement. I will sign up for the new card, use the miles, then cancel the card and wait for the next promotion.

The airline credit cards are not good value unless one flies a lot. If you are a big flyer then the card makes sense and is of value. Capital One Venture card with their 2% reward is an overall better card. No limited seating or obscene flight routes when you want to use your points. Just buy the flight you want on any airline and apply your points after the purchase is posted. Some American Express cards have an even higher cash back reward system of 3% and 4% for all purchases. They have an annual fee, but these cards are also better than airline cards unless you fly a particular airline a lot.

By the way, I was looking at United flights from the south eastern seaboard USA to Asia. United was asking around $1500 for coach roundtrip to BKK and / or Manila. By chance I checked on roundtrips to Jakarta and it was only $1024. All United's Asian flights had the same routing through Houston and Narita then individual ANA connecting flights to their respective destinations in Asia. So I will spend a week getting warmed up in Jakarta and then fly Air Asia for approx $100 one way to BKK. Later, I will fly Philippine Air or Cebu Pacific from Manila back to Jakarta. Airlines suck. Don't get me even started on seat spacing and leg room. They treat us worse than stray dogs.

[QUOTE=Vittu;1575141]You, sir, have established a standard for comprehensive, informative and authoritative sex reporting. Wish I were young again in Bangkok. [/QUOTE]With no offence for anybody I think Sir Lancelot is not in his primary age. (a merit!

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;1575346]United showed no respect to their mileage customers when they upped the necessary miles to 80,000 from 60,000 for roundtrip coach flights from USA to Asia regardless of how many miles were in a member's account at the time. . [/QUOTE]All airliners are getting into this, reducing the benefits to redeem miles.

I had to pay in taxes in an amount the equivalent of an economy ticket when redeeming miles for a first class ticket with a star alliance European airline (as. "of course" no business seats were available for miles, but only first class seats.).

We also know that the major part of these "taxes" is fictious. A free ticket should be free by all means. Not charged with taxes same as an economy ticket!

Add to this the difficulties to find seats with miles, both for free or for upgrades.

Sooner or later the main advantage will be just lounge access and extra baggage weight / pieces.

But those flying business class, or more, already have this.